Congenital and acquired symmastia: a novel correction technique

Abstract

Background: Symmastia, first defined by Spence in 1984, is a medical condition characterized by the convergence of breast tissues in the midline, resulting in the absence of adhesion between the skin and subcutaneous tissue over the presternal area. It can be either congenital or acquired. Currently, there is no universally accepted treatment for symmastia. This study presents a surgical approach, preoperative, and postoperative care for the correction of symmastia. Methods: Between January 2014 and December 2020, a surgical technique was performed on 100 patients, including 59 with congenital symmastia and 41 with acquired symmastia. The technique involved creating a thin skin flap and attaching it to the sternum to reconstruct the intermammary V-shaped region. Results: All patients in both groups underwent subglandular implant placement, with textured/polyurethane prostheses used in 97% of cases. Three cases did not use any implants. In the corrective surgery, patients received smaller, round implants, following the steps of the surgical approach devised by the author. The median satisfaction scores were high in both groups. Conclusion: The surgical approach described in this study is a safe, one-time procedure with a low risk of complications and high patient satisfaction. The technique is reproducible and provides consistent outcomes.